The 2024-25 school year marks the first time in nearly a decade that Pleasant Valley High school has had a boys volleyball team on campus. Seven years ago, the team dwindled into inactivity due to a lack of signups, coaches, and funding. This spring, after a year-long fight to restore it, the beloved sport has returned to stay.
Love of the game sparked the mission to bring boys volleyball back to PV. Benjamin Donnelley, captain of what is now the varsity boys volleyball team, played a pivotal role in the journey. Ben, a sophomore at PV, began playing volleyball in 7th grade. He first came up with the idea to reinstate the boys team in his freshman year, and since then has pushed towards his goal, driven by his passion for the game and his belief in equal opportunities. “I felt that it was weird that Chico had a team and that we couldn’t have one,” Ben said. “We had 22 kids at the school that wanted to play, and they were being denied that option, where at Chico High, they had that option.’’
With help from travel coaches, parents, and other volleyball players, Ben began his mission to bring the team back to life. “It took a lot of emails and convincing, and a lot of administration work more than anything,” Ben noted. “After a lot of declines, we finally got it.” When asked what the biggest challenge was while restoring the team, Ben said, “Probably dealing with money and the logistics of it.” He noted that following school rules and getting approved by administration was a challenge, and at times it could be difficult to get someone to listen. “It was definitely hard to make them think, like, this is a real thing. This is a real thing we want, rather than just like, ‘Oh, we want, like, a team,’ like, no. We want a competitive high school team.”
In any school setting, it is vitally important to value student voices. When Ben spoke about his experience setting up the team, he said, “I think that, definitely for, like, freshman year, I felt a little bit unheard, and this year, I feel like, with some more people, some more staff and family, I feel like I really was heard, and my message got across, and they finalized it,” He highlighted how rewarding it felt to have his input be taken seriously and to see changes made because of it. “So, that felt good, to feel like my voice matters and I’ve been heard.”
The reinstallation of a boys volleyball team on campus is a groundbreaking feat that has inspired students across campus to take action for the changes they want to see. While PV offers a wide variety of athletics to its students, there are still some popular sports missing, such as rugby, boxing, & lacrosse–and the beginning of a boys volleyball team has sparked conversation about organizing teams for sports that aren’t yet available at our school.
PV’s Mr. Hightower contributed to the team by helping and encouraging Ben to accomplish his goals. “My part was just facilitating whatever he wanted, just letting Ben do his thing. He’s very persistent, and that’s what kinda got us to the volleyball team. Persistence.” Later he noted, “My biggest role was just encouraging him to follow his passion.” Mr. Hightower applauded Ben’s leadership as he embarked on the journey to restore the team, commending his passion for the sport and his determination to share his dream with others. “He did a great job, and he’s an amazing kid. He’s got a great future, and I can’t wait to vote for him for president in less than twenty years.”
When asked about the importance of student voices being heard in school environments, Mr. Hightower emphasized how important it is to support students and listen to what they have to say, allowing them to bring forth change and encourage expression. “Everybody who’s in education, as a teacher, as a staff member, as a faculty member, we have to remember why we’re here. We’re not here for our personal gain, even though we gain a lot from being, you know, a teacher and staff. We really have to remember why we’re here. We’re here to help kids meet their dreams.” Students should feel valued, supported, and heard in their school setting–being permitted a voice at all is already significant, but having it actually be heard is what makes the biggest difference.
When challenges emerged on the path towards restoring the boys’ team, Ben pushed through. “There were some, you know, roadblocks, I would say, obstacles, and he worked it out. He got through it because he wanted something. I think it’s a testament to his fortitude and perseverance that he got it to happen,” said Hightower.
About one year after Ben’s initial idea to restore it, Pleasant Valley High School’s boys volleyball team stepped foot on court for the first time in seven years. In just one season, they have established themselves as a talented, dedicated, and successful team–a prime example of what true Viking spirit looks like.
